Foundation Problem Signs

Settlement & Sinking

Since weak soil almost always leads to a damaged foundation, the most obvious foundation problem sign to look out for is settlement. This term simply refers to a foundation sinking into the soil. As mentioned before, it occurs when soil becomes weak either through too much water, not enough water, or poor compaction. Over time, this can lead to uneven floors, or wall cracks that damage your home. 

Drywall Nail Pops

Nail pops will often occur as your foundation settles or becomes damaged in some way. Since the walls of your home rely on the foundation to stay structurally sound, any disturbances will cause nails originally installed during construction to pop out of their place.  

Look for small circular bulges in drywall. In some cases, nails may even pop so hard that they create a small circular hole in the wall. Either way, nail pops are a sure sign that your foundation needs repairs.  

Wall Cracks

Another sign that arises when walls shift due to foundation damage is cracking. Wall cracks can occur both inside and outside your home. When looking inside, drywall cracks may form above doorways and windows. Generally, these areas are weaker than other parts of the wall. 

When looking outside, the type of cracking depends on the material your home is made of. For brick and other masonry materials, look for stair-step patterned cracks forming in the mortar. For wood exteriors, simply look for large cracks forming both horizontally and vertically across the surface.  

Stuck Doors & Windows

Since foundation damage usually causes your walls to shift, you may also notice door frames or window frames becoming crooked. When this happens, it can cause doors to drag across the floor as they open. Windows might even become stuck as their frames become abnormally warped. No matter the case, any sort of resistance from your doors or windows may indicate foundation damage.